Category: Z-View

“Outbreak” (2024) / Z-View

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Outbreak (2024)

Director:  Jeff Wolfe

Screenplay:  Lance Ochsner, Jeff Wolfe; story by Erik Aude’

Stars: Billy Burke, Raoul Max Trujillo, Alyshia Ochse, Taylor Handley and Jessica Frances Dukes.

Tagline: It starts as an infection. It ends in devastation.

The Plot…

Park Rangers Neil Morris, John Gibson and their Chief Mike Cortez respond to a call involving a rabid dog.  When the dog attacks Chief Cortez, Neil hesitates in shooting the animal.  The delay results in Cortez being bitten.

Back at the station, Chief Cortez orders Neil to take some time off.  For the last two months Neil’s work has suffered.  He’s been distracted due to the disappearance of his teenage son.  Neil’s wife isn’t doing much better.

Neil reluctantly takes the vacation.  He decides to use the time to look for his son.  While in the woods, Neil is attacked by a disfigured woman.  He kills her in self-defense and discovers she was infected.  As Neil drives back home, he sees the town is overrun with infected.

Neil keeps driving.  He plans to scoop up his wife and head for safety.  Unfortunately, some terrors are inescapable.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Outbreak (2024) is more psychological thriller than all-out zombie actioner.  The two twists at the end are worth the price of admission.

Outbreak (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Tom Horn” (1980) starring Steve McQueen / Z-View

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Tom Horn (1980)

Director:  William Wiard

Screenplay:  Thomas McGuane, Bud Shrake; based on LIFE OF TOM HORN, GOVERNMENT SCOUT AND INTERPRETER by Tom Horn

Stars: Steve McQueen, Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Billy Green Bush, Slim Pickens, Peter Canon, Elisha Cook Jr., Roy Jenson, Harry Northup, Steve Oliver, Bill Thurman, Bert Williams, Bobby Bass, Mickey Jones and Geoffrey Lewis.

Tagline: Before they could settle the West, they had to hang the man who tamed it.

The Plot…

Tom Horn was famous in his own time.  But his time has passed.  Known for his skills as a frontiersman, a U.S. Army scout, a tracker, and a crack shot… Horn is now a drifter.  The Indian Wars are over.  A man with Tom Horn’s skills aren’t in demand.  So Horn just drifted from place to place scrapping by.

Horn is in a small town, when he meets cattle rancher John Coble.  Coble is impressed with Horn’s legend and surprised to find him without work and struggling.  He offers Horn a job.  Coble is a member of a Cattle Rancher Association that has been plagued by rustlers.  The Association agrees to hire Horn to rid the territory of cattle thieves… by whatever means needed.  Horn is assured by the group as well as the US Marshall that once he gives the rustlers fair warning, he is legally allowed to do whatever it takes to get rid of them.  Horn takes the job.

Horn does what he was hired to do.  He rids the area of rustlers.  His methods are violent but effective.  Many men are killed.  The rustling stops.  The Cattle Association  no longer needs Horn.  Especially since they’ve been getting bad press.  When a young boy is found murdered by a rifle shot of the same caliber that Tom Horn uses,  some Association members see a way out.

Horn is set up to take the fall for the murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tom Horn was a troubled production.  Steve McQueen wasn’t happy with the script and ordered multiple rewrites.  The original director, Don Siegel decided to move on.  Siegel was replaced by replaced by Elliot Silverstein.  Silverstein was replaced by James William Guercio.  McQueen fired Guercio after just three days.  McQueen wanted to direct, but since filming had started, union rules prevented an actor to replace a director.  So William Wiard, a television director was brought in to finish filming.  Tom Horn is the only feature film on Wiard’s resume.  Many believe that McQueen directed much of the movie himself.

In addition to the troubles listed above, Steve McQueen’s health was suffering.  He was often short of breath and towards the end of filming even began coughing up blood.  McQueen would learn that he had advanced cancer.  Just a couple of weeks before Tom Horn premiered, The National Enquirer broke the story that Steve McQueen had terminal cancer.  When asked at the premiere, McQueen denied reports of his cancer.

Tom Horn was a real-life legend.  The movie is based on his autobiography that he wrote while in jail awaiting trial.

Tom Horn (1980) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Black Camel” (1931) starring Warner Oland and Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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The Black Camel (1931)

Director:  Hamilton MacFadden

Screenplay:  Barry Conners, Philip Klein, Dudley Nichols (uncredited); written by Hugh Stanislaus Stange (adaptation), based on THE BLACK CAMEL by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Warner Oland, Bela Lugosi, Victor Varconi, Murray Kinnell, J.M. Kerrigan, Mary Gordon, Dwight Frye and Robert Young.

Tagline: The unsolved secrets of Hollywood

The Plot…

Shelah Fayne is a movie star.  Her friends are beginning to worry about her.  Shelah is thinking of marrying a man she has only known a week.  Shelah will make a decision once she speaks to her favorite psychic, Tarneverro.

When Shelah is murdered Inspector Charlie Chan gets the case.  There are many suspects.  One is the killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bela Lugosi plays the psychic.  Dwight Frye appears uncredited as Jessop.  Lugosi and Frye appeared together in Dracula which was released the same year.

Warner Oland made five Charlie Chan films based on novels written by Charlie Chan creator Earl Derr Biggers.  Sadly The Black Camel is the only one that survived.  The other four were lost due to studio fires.

Robert Young who went on to fame playing Marcus Welby, M.D., makes his film debut in The Black Camel.

Most folks enjoy The Black Camel more than I.  Keep in mind your mileage may vary.

The Black Camel (1931) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Casino” (1995) directed by Martin Scorsese; starring Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci / Z-View

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Casino (1995)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay:  Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese; based on CASINO: LOVE AND HONOR IN LAS VEGAS by Nicholas Pileggi 

Stars: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent, John Bloom, Pasquale Cajano, Melissa Prophet, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Jerry Vale and Frankie Avalon.

Tagline: Luck has nothing to do with the games they play.

The Plot…

The year is 1973 and Las Vegas is booming.  Especially for the Chicago Mob thanks to Sam “Ace” Rothstein.  Rothstein has doubled profits for his Chi-town buddies.  Skimmed cash is sent back weekly.  All is great.

Then Rothstein’s childhood pal shows up.  Nicky Santoro is a hothead and mob enforcer known by the cops for his past crimes.  Nicky’s come to Vegas to make his fortune.  Rothstein tells Nicky all will be good if he keeps a low profile.

Of course Nicky’s gotta be Nicky.

Add Ginger McKenna to the mix and things get, uh… explosive.  Ginger is an ex-showgirl, ex-prostitute and con artist.  Rothstein loves her dearly.  She loves what Rothstein can give her.

Let’s roll the dice.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sharon Stone was nominated for a Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award.

Martin Scorsese allowed Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci to improvise much of the dialogue in their scenes.

Scorsese,  DeNiro and Pesci are gold.

Casino (1995) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Wire” Season 5 created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 4 (2008)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1, 10) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns;
  • (ep. 2) William F. Zorzi from a story by David Simon, William F. Zorzi
  • (ep. 3) Chris Collins from a story by David Simon, Chris Collins
  • (eps. 4, 6) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns
  • (ep. 5) David Mills from a story by David Simon, David Mills
  • (ep. 7) Richard Price from a story by David Simon, Richard Price
  • (ep. 8) Dennis Lehane from a story by David Simon, Dennis Lehane
  • (ep. 9) George Pelecanos from a story by David Simon, George Pelecanos

Directed by:

  • Joe Chappelle (eps. 1, 9)
  • Ernest Dickerson (ep. 2)
  • Scott Kecken & Joy Kecken (ep. 3)
  • Dan Attias (ep. 4)
  • Agnieszka Holland (ep. 5)
  • Seith Mann (ep. 6)
  • Dominic West (ep. 7)
  • Anthony Hemingway (ep. 8)
  • Clark Johnson (ep. 10)

Stars: Dominic West, Reg E. Cathey, Aidan Gillen, Clark Johnson, Tom McCarthy, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Michelle Paress, John Doman, Deirdre Lovejoy, Lance Reddick, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Jamie Hector, Neal Huff, Corey Parker Robinson, Tristan Wilds, Jermaine Crawford, Seth Gilliam, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Andre Royo, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Frankie Faison, Chad Coleman, Robert F. Chew, Method Man, Felicia Pearson and Michael K. Williams.

Tagline: Read Between the Lines.

The Plot…

The economy is hurting everyone.  Budget cuts have forced The Baltimore Sun newspaper to cut personnel.  Carcetti, the newly elected mayor isn’t able to institute the changes he wanted because of the school system shortfall.  Money needed to be diverted there.  This has caused shortfalls for the police who are no longer getting or being paid overtime.  The Major Crimes Unit has been shut down.  This has left the Vacant Buildings Murders and the Stansfield Investigation stopped in their tracks.

McNulty, back to his old drinking ways, comes up with a plan.  He arrives on a murder scene before anyone else.  He then disfigures the corpse and ties a ribbon around the dead man’s wrist.  McNulty figures if there is a serial killer on the loose, the department will have to find funds to investigate.  He leaks the story to a reporter.

A dead homeless person.  The story doesn’t create a buzz.  So McNulty takes it to the next level.  He uses dentures to put bite marks on another homeless person who died on the street.  He leaks the story.  Now it appears there is a serial killer with a sexual fetish preying on the homeless.  The killer seems to be escalating.  More murders are assured.  No one is safe.

The story takes off. Under pressure to catch the killer, the mayor (who wants to run for Governor in the next election) finds funds to bring back the Major Crimes Unit.  McNulty now has access to unlimited overtime that he plans to use to bring down the Stansfield crime family and solve the Vacant Buildings Murders.  Despite institgating a plan that would get him fired and arrested, McNulty seems to have things under control.

Then a Baltimore Sun Reporter claims that the killer is in contact with him.  Although the reporter is lying everyone believes him.  Papers are flying off the stands. The reporter keeps upping the ante with his tales of the killer contacting him.  Soon the FBI is called in.

McNulty knows the reporter is lying but the only way to prove it is to turn himself in.  With the publicity the case is getting, plus the Feds itching to get involved, McNulty feels the noose tightening.

Meanwhile Omar is back to his old ways ripping off drug dealers.  But now there is a price on his head.  And every criminal in the city is looking to collect.

Marlo is feeling his increasing power.  He shuts down the co-op.  Snoop and Chris are turned loose on any who oppose him.  Especially anyone considered a snitch.  Michael, who had been on the rise in Marlo’s organization may be talking to the cops.  If that’s the case, he has to disappear.

The Wire’s final season goes out with a bang.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wire was a Nominee for a 2008 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series –  David Simon (writer/story by), Ed Burns (story by) for the -30- episode

The Wire‘s final season builds upon everything that came before. It finished as it started: well written, well directed and well acted.

The Wire: Season 5 (2008) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Boneyard” (2024) starring Brian Van Holt, Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson and Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Boneyard (2024)

Director:  Asif Akbar

Screenplay:  Vincent E. McDaniel, Asif Akbar, Hank Byrd, Koji Steven Sakai; story by Vincent E. McDaniel

Stars: Mel Gibson, 50 Cent, Brian Van Holt, Nora Zehetner, Weston Cage and Randall J. Bacon.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When the remains of eleven women are found buried in a field, there is no doubt a serial killer is at work in Albuquerque.  The F.B.I. sends in profiler Special Agent Petrovick to assist the team led by Chief Carter.

There are many leads, but evidence doesn’t point to a single killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Boneyard is based on a real case. The remains of eleven women were found buried in the desert west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Several suspects were considered. None were arrested or charged.  If you’re hoping the movie has a better resolution… don’t.

Mel Gibson is featured first on the movie poster.  Gibson also appears prominently in the movie’s trailer.  Boneyard has a run time of 96 minutes.  Mel Gibson gets approximately 15 minutes of screen time.

Boneyard (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Riff Raff” (2024) starring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson and Bill Murray / Z-View

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Riff Raff (2024)

Director:  Dito Montiel

Screenplay:  John Pollono

Stars: Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Miles J. Harvey, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson, Scott Michael Campbell, Roger Guenveur Smith, Angelic Zambrana and Bill Murray.

Tagline: Crime is a family affair.

The Plot…

Vincent Gauthier’s life is good.  He quit a life of crime.  He’s reached an age most in his former line of work never do.  Vincent is married to Sandy.  She’s a beautiful much younger woman.  Vincent and Sandy along with DJ (his stepson) are spending winter break at their vacation cabin.

Yes, life is good.

Then in the middle of the night Vincent’s oldest son shows up.  Rocco’s brought his pregnant girlfriend along… and his mom.  Vincent’s first wife.  They’re on the run.  Rocco killed a mobster’s son.

And now the mobster and a hitman are closing in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bill Murray and Pete Davidson have good on-screen chemistry.

I was expecting more laughs.

Riff Raff (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

KING OF ASHES by S.A. Cosby / Z-View

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KING OF ASHES by S.A. Cosby

First sentence…

He dreams of his mother.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When Roman Carruthers gets the call that his father was in a terrible car accident, he heads home.  Well, where he grew up anyway.  Jefferson Run hasn’t been his home for years.  But the small town is where he grew up.

Roman arrives to find his dad hospitalized in a coma.  His sister Nevah is exhausted.  Taking care of dad (even before the accident) and running the family business – Carruthers Crematorium – has worn her down.  Their younger brother, Dante, now a young man, should be helping.  But he’s doing the opposite.  Dante’s been a mess since their mother disappeared years ago.  Rumors that their dad may have been behind her disappearance haven’t helped.

Roman figures he’ll quickly get things straightened out.  Then it’ll be back to the big city and his thriving financial business.  Roman has a knack for making his clients rich. And him too in the process.

What Roman hadn’t counted on was Dante’s trouble.

The young fool went into a drug deal with his buddy.  They thought they’d buy some dope cheap, sell it at a profit and make quick cash.  Dante didn’t count on his partner blowing through the product by using it himself and giving it to friends.  Now Dante owes some very bad people a very lot of money.

Roman figures that he has the cash to clear Dante’s ledger with the gangbangers.  He was wrong.

Dante owes the money to Torrent and Tranquil Gilchrist.  They’re the crazy twins who run the Black Baron Boys.  At this point, Dante is worth more to them dead.  It would send a message to others who don’t pay up on time.  When they meet, Roman tries to smooth things over with his charm and money.  It nearly costs him his life.  The only thing that saves him is his promise that he can make the twins rich legally and quickly though his financial dealings.

This promise saves his life.  Instead of being murdered, Roman is given a terrible beat down.  He’s left bloody and with the knowledge that he’s now in debt to the Gilchrist twins.

Roman knows that no matter how much money he makes them, dealing with Torrent and Tranquil Gilchrist can only end with his death.

But Roman has a plan.  A crazy long shot of a plan.

+++

S.A. Cosby has another winner.

Rating:

“Sphere” (1998) directed by Barry Levinson / Z-View

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Sphere (1998)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Stephen Hauser, Paul Attanasio; adaptation by Kurt Wimmer; based on SPHERE by Michael Crichton

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Liev Schreiber, Queen Latifah, Bernard Hocke, James Pickens Jr. and Huey Lewis.

Tagline: A Barry Levinson film

The Plot…

A spacecraft is discovered on the ocean floor under 300 years of coral growth. A team of the best minds in their field was formed. U.S. Navy Captain Harold Barnes will lead the squad that includes astrophysicist Dr. Ted Fielding, psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman, marine biologist Dr. Beth Halperin and mathematician Dr. Harry Adams.

As the team goes down, a vicious storm approaches topside.  Communication will be lost until the weather clears.

The exploration team is surprised to discover that the spacecraft appears to be American.  Further, a huge sphere of unknown make-up is in the craft.  It reflects everything in the room except the people.

The team returns to their craft to recharge.  They are surprised when their computers begin to display encoded messages.  Once deciphered the communication appears to be coming from the sphere.  Everything the crew says or does is known by the sphere.  While they wait for the storm topside to clear, strange things begin happening.  And one member of the crew doesn’t seem to be himself.

And then things go really bad…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sphere is an interesting film right up until the final resolution.  THAT killed it for me.

Dustin Hoffman was reportedly disappointed in the film.  He felt that some issues could have been corrected had the film not have a hard release date.

Sphere (1998) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Alto Knights” (2025) directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro / Z-View

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The Alto Knights (2025)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Nicholas Pileggi

Stars: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Rispoli, James Ciccone, Wallace Langham, Ed Amatrudo, Mike Seely and Brian Scolaro.

Tagline: The most dangerous enemy is an old friend

The Plot…

Frank Costello and Vito Genovese grew up together as best friends.  They became notorius crime bosses for different families.  When Costello plans to retire he informs Genovese.  Genovese smells a doublecross.  Soon a gang war irrupts.  Who will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Who cares?  I tapped out after about 30 minutes.

A lot of the movie is voice overs played as old time photos appear.  I also thought having De Niro play both parts was more distracting than it should be.

Although Robert De Niro plays both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, an actor was hired to play opposite De Niro during filming.  De Niro felt it was needed to get the best performance.  So the actor would play Costello while De Niro acted as Genovese.  The De Niro and the actor would switch parts and redo the scenes.  The actor hired has been kept a secret.

The Alto Knights (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Predator 2” (1990) starring Danny Glover / Z-View

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Predator 2 (1990)

Director:  Stephen Hopkins

Screenplay:  Jim Thomas, John Thomas based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas 

Stars: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Kevin Peter Hall, Rubén Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, Robert Davi, Adam Baldwin, Kent McCord, Morton Downey Jr., Calvin Lockhart, Steve Kahan, Henry Kingi, Elpidia Carrillo, Lilyan Chauvin and Bill Paxton.

Tagline: He’s in town with a few days to kill.

The Plot…

1997.  Los Angeles is suffering one of the worst summer heat waves in history.  When temperatures rise, tempers flare which is only adding to problems facing L.A.’s finest.  A gang war between Columbian and Jamacan drug cartels is in full force.  Gunfire and turf battles erupt with frequency. Lieutenant Mike Harrigan and his drug task force have their hands full.

When Special Agent Peter Keyes leading a Federal Task Force arrives, Harrigan thinks that they’ve come to assist in taking down the cartels.  Soon Harrigan will learn the real reason.  A Predator has come to town to collect trophies.

Hunting season is now open.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Peter Hall returned to play the Predator.  For scenes at the end of the movie where additional Predators show up, members of the L.A. Lakers were recruited for the roles.

John McTiernan, director of the original Predator, was getting $2 million a film and producers didn’t want to pay that much.

Elpidia Carrillo, who played Anna in the first film, is listed in the credits, but you will have to look hard to find her.  Carrillo shows up on a video monitor in Federal Agent Keye’s mobile headquarters.  Carrillo filmed other scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Steve Kahan co-starred in Lethal Weapon (1987).  Kahan played Glover’s boss in all the Lethal Weapon films.

It was nice seeing Kent McCord of Adam-12 fame in a supporting role.

I loved Predator.  Predator 2 is good, but falls short of the original.  Predator 2 leans more into the humor, over-the-top scenes and gore.

Predator 2 (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Wire” Season 4 created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 4 (2006)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1,13) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns;
  • (ep. 2) David Mills from a story by Ed Burns, David Mills
  • (ep. 3) Richard Price from a story by Ed Burns, Richard Price
  • (ep. 4) Dennis Lehane from a story by Ed Burns, Dennis Lehane
  • (eps. 5, 11) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns
  • (ep. 6) Eric Overmyer  from a story by Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer 
  • (ep. 7) William F. Zorzi from a story by Ed Burns, William F. Zorzi
  • (ep. 8) Richard Price from a story by Ed Burns, Richard Price
  • (ep. 9) Kia Corthron from a story by Ed Burns, Kia Corthron
  • (ep. 10) Eric Overmyer from a story by Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer
  • (ep. 12) George Pelecanos from a story by Ed Burns,  George Pelecanos

Directed by: Joe Chappelle (eps. 1, 12); Christine Moore (ep. 2); Seith Mann (ep. 3); Jim McKay (ep. 4); David Platt (ep. 5); Dan Attias (ep.6); Anthony Hemingway (ep. 7); Agnieszka Holland (ep. 8); Alex Zakrzewski (ep. 9); Ernest Dickerson (ep. 10, 13); Brad Anderson (ep. 11)

Stars: Aidan Gillen, Jim True-Frost, Domenick Lombardozzi, Reg E. Cathey, Jamie Hector, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, John Doman, Clarke Peters, Robert Wisdom, Seth Gilliam, Corey Parker Robinson, Frankie Faison, Dominic West, Deirdre Lovejoy, Andre Royo,  J. D. Williams, Chad Coleman, Glynn Turman, Robert F. Chew, Method Man, Hassan Johnson, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Felicia Pearson, Michael Kostroff, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Delaney Williams, Amy Ryan, Paul Ben-Victor  and Michael K. Williams.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

With Stringer Bell dead, Marlo has expanded his crew to take over the Barksdale territory.  The police are surprised that Marlo’s expansion hasn’t led to dead bodies.  It has, but Marlo has figured a way to keep them under cover.  Chris and Snoop continue taking bodies but they never turn up.

Herc, on the Mayor’s security detail figures it will be an easy way to promotion.  Then Herc accidentally learns something that may cost him his job.

Councilman Carcetti continues his efforts to become Baltimore’s new Mayor.  Carcetti’s rise in the polls forces Mayor Royce to take stern actions.  Dirty tricks and questionable ethics are par for the course.

Michael’s willingness to do what it takes to control his corner impresses Marlo.  Omar bids his time until he is ready to make his move against Marlo’s organization.

Former Major Crimes Unit Officer Roland ‘Prez’ Pryzbylewski takes a teaching job at a local high school.  Ex-con Cutty, trying to stay out of trouble with his parole officer begins working as a truant officer.  Bubbles is repeatedly beaten and robbed by a street thug.  His police friends are no help.  When Bubbles has reached his limit, he plans revenge that backfires in a way that will haunt him for life.

Deputy Commissioner Rawls sees the shifting political sands as an opportunity for advancement. Former Baltimore Police Major Howard “Bunny” Colvin accepts a position supported by a government grant to work with the most disruptive high school students.  The plan isn’t supported by district or state guidelines, but seems to be working.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wire was a Nominee for a 2005 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series –  George Pelecanos (writer/story by), David Simon (story by) for the Middle Ground episode

Each season of The Wire builds upon the last. The series continues to be well written, well directed and well acted.

The series spends as much time with the criminals as the cops. This season we get political intrigue, the impact politics has on police work and a local at students headed in the wrong direction and their impact on school settings. Kudos to the writers for making each character and storyline important.

I cannot wait to start season 5.

The Wire: Season 4 (2006) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“aka Charlie Sheen” (2025) / Z-View

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aka Charlie Sheen (2025)

Director:  Andrew Renzi

Stars: Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Jon Cryer, Denise Richards, Chris Tucker and Heidi Fleiss.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie Sheen bares all in a two-part documentary that covers his life from a small child to now.  Sheen discusses his childhood, movie career, being the highest paid actor on television ($2 million per episode) as well as repeatedly bottoming out several times along the way due to drug and alcohol abuse.

Sheen along with Sean Penn (childhood friend), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men co-star), Chris Tucker (movie co-star), Denise Richards (ex-wife), Heidi Fleiss (famous Hollywood Madam to the Stars) and others tell of Sheen’s highs and lows.  Nothing is off limits and Charlie discusses many topics for the first time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlie Sheen had it all.  And lost it several times due to his self-destructive and addictive personality.  It is amazing that Sheen was able to come back so many times.  He seems to be in a good place now and perhaps it is due to his willingness to open up about his life.  Sheen has been clean for seven years at this point.  Hopefully he won’t relapse.

aka Charlie Sheen (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

BLUE MOON: A JACK REACHER NOVEL by Lee Child /-View

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BLUE MOON by Lee Child

First sentence…

The city looked small on a map of America.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The Greyhound bus was about to pull into town.  Reacher, sitting several seats behind, notices an old man with a thick bank envelope sticking out of his pocket.  A seat ahead of Reacher, a greasy haired man was also eyeing the packet. It wouldn’t take a crystal ball to see what was going to happen when the senior citizen exited the bus.  So Reacher decided to get off as well.

Sure enough, when the time was right (or so he thought) the greaser made his move.  Reacher ended the robbery but not before the old timer was knocked to the ground.  Reacher made sure the would-be thief went down too.  The creep would wake up with bruisers and maybe a little more respect for his elders.

As Reacher handed the envelope back to the old man, he realized the geezer was carrying $15,000 or maybe more.  It turns out the old guy was in debt to some very bad people.  The old guy’s daughter had cancer.  Insurance was slow to pay and the cancer was fast-moving.  So the old man borrowed from Albanian gangsters.  The excessive interest was causing finanacial ruin to the old man and his wife.  They’d soon lose their house.

Reacher decides to intervene.  He’s pretty sure he can square things with the loansharks.  That’s before he learns that the Ukranian gangsters have an uneasy true with a Albanian gang.  That gives Reacher an idea.  If it works, the old couple will be out of debt and a lot of gangsters will be dead.  If his plan fails, the old couple might be killed.  Worse still, Reacher would suffer a slow torturous death.

But once in a Blue Moon… everything goes just right.  Perhaps this will be one of those times.

+++

BLUE MOON is the 24th in the Jack Reacher series. All the Reacher novels are fun rides.  BLUE Moon is one of the best.

Rating:

“California King” (2025) / Z-View

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California King (2025)

Director:  Eli Stern

Screenplay: Eli Stern

Stars: Travis Bennett, Jimmy Tatro, Victoria Justice, Joel McHale, Melanie Haynes and Kevin Changaris.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Perry is excited to learn that Lynette, his high school girlfriend, the love of his life has broken up with her boyfriend.  Perry wants to win her back.

But how?

With the help of his buddy and Lynette’s brother a scheme is born.  Perry will save Lynette’s brother from kidnappers.  That’s right.  Kidnappers.  Perry, his friend and Lynette’s brother will fake the kidnapping and rescue.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

California King is tries too hard to be hip.  I usually give movies at least 30 minutes before I give up.  With California King I lasted 21 minutes.  Your mileage may vary.

California King (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.